How to Fix Broken Powder Makeup

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pink eyeshadow in crumbles

Broken makeup got you down?

Makeup falls and your blush, eye shadow, or pressed powdered makeup shatters. UGH! We’ve all been there, but don’t throw it away because you can quickly and easily fix it with rubbing alcohol! I recently saw this easy peasy hack in a magazine and knew I had to try it!


bottle of rubbing alcohol with pink eyeshadow in background

How to Fix Shattered Makeup:

  1. Slowly add a few drops of rubbing alcohol to the broken makeup. You’ll know when you have added enough drops when a paste-like substance forms.
  2. Use a butter knife or flat object and stir the makeup paste around, flatten it down and smooth it out.
  3. Let it dry overnight. When it dries, it will no longer smell like alcohol. Although it does not necessarily look as pretty as before, it still works!!

This easy hack WORKS! Check out my before and after:

before and after of pink makeup broken vs fixed

Hooray for this easy makeup tip that I’m happy to say is verified to work! I love that it’s money-saving and solves a common problem. Let us know in the comments if you’ve tried this smart tip as well!


Here are some genius ways to use vinegar around the house.

Join The Discussion

Comments 42

  1. Bunny

    What a fantastic tip Lina. Can’t tell you how many eye shadows & blush I’ve thrown away not knowing it could be revived….thank you 🙂

  2. Amy

    Oh My God Lina, you’re such a relief. TYSM

  3. Mary

    Awesome!

  4. Andrea

    Awesome tip

  5. Cat

    Won’t you be putting alcohol on your eye lids or checks later though? Wouldn’t your skin dry out or maybe the color not be the same after?

    • Mary

      There is probably alcohol already in the products, among other things.

      • Gracey

        Agree Mary

    • Carol_R

      I expect that the alcohol evaporates overnight.

  6. rasha

    Awesome

  7. Katherine

    I just tried this yesterday. It worked perfectly!

  8. td

    hmmm…now that makes me think about “expired” makeup. does anyone toss makeup when they feel it has been around too long? i have always heard that you shouldn’t keep makeup for too long – bacteria growth, etc. i wonder if would be worth while to pop it out of the tin and PURPOSELY crush it, add the alcohol and put it back in to CLEAN it?

    • Christine

      Powder makeup doesn’t expire. Don’t believe the beauty magazines. Only throw makeup out if the smell/texture changes.

      • td

        thats what i mean by expired…if it gets funky. though the product itself might not expire, you are still getting your eye germs all over it…nasty bacteria…

        • Christine

          It if it actually goes bad then no amount if alcohol will save it

    • hoovla78

      Oh it definitely expires but I think it takes years. I found some really old eye shadow once and figured, what the heck let’s test it out. I had broken out into a pretty bad rash on my eye lips by the evening… Never again!

  9. Kimka

    Fantastic Tip! Thank you!

  10. nancy

    Lina, I love all your tips, ways of saving money, recipes, and all the great things you post via Hip2Save. They are always well worth reading and you are greatly appreciated for what you do for all us HIP readers.

    • Lina (Hip's Modern Martha)

      Thanks Nancy! That made my day!!

  11. Jennifer

    Wow, great tip! My makeup stays into purse so it breaks all the time, thanks Lina!

    • Emily

      Don’t you hate the cheap hinges on compacts? I’m always pulling broken ones out of my purse. The most frustrating thing!

  12. Meghan

    I agree with Nancy!! 🙂

  13. Ann

    That is so awesome! Thank you so much for sharing!

  14. amanda

    If someone has a free dominos code they wont be using I would very much appreciate if u could send it to me. It would help A LOT. Thank u!
    Amandab0722@hotmail.com

  15. Jennifer

    Another thing I’ve done if I have several complementary shades of eye-shadow that are almost gone, I’ll scrape them out, crush them up and mix them and then put them in a new compact using the above method. I get a new shade or two can save room in my make up bag.

  16. teri

    I love this tip….and thank you!!!! But when did the comment section become the beggers’ section? This is the fourth post begging for free pizza codes…..Well, I want one too!!!!!! Stop the begging Pls.

    • amanda

      I dont see anyone begging. Keep your ignorant comments to yourself teri!!

      • teri

        Ha, spoken like a begger. This post, and the others, had nothing at all to do with pizza…..In a pizza post is cool. But seriously, posting in non related posts is not appropriate, in my opinion. When people have codes, they always list then, offing them up for other Hipsters. Lighten up!

        • Julie M

          Teri, that was an insensitive comment. I understand what you’re saying but you don’t know anyone else’s circumstances. Amanda, I don’t have a code I’m sorry. If I did I’d be sure to help you out. Good luck though! 🙂

          • amanda

            Thank u julie. You’re right she doesnt know my circumstances and I know there are kind and generous hip2savers (like u) that would be happy to fwd a code to someone who needs it if it wasnt going to be used. I have also sent codes to people who ASK (not beg) if I have one so I dont just come ask for things and not give back in return

    • Amy

      I agree with Julie. I don’t have a code, heck I don’t even have one of those pizza places by me. But I would pass it on if I did and if I don’t like a comment I skip it and move on. Yes this post is about an awesome makeup tip woohoo thanks I break everything, but I am not bothered by Amanda’s post, hope you get a code Amanda!

      • amanda

        Thank you Amy 🙂 that was very nice of u!

    • Veronica

      I agree- there should be a posting just for trading or giving codes. It is rather annoying to keep seeing people asking for freebies. If people have them they will post them. But hijacking every post is annoying.

      • Blair

        Wow, Teri and Veronica are grouchy. It’s not a big deal. Just disregard the comment if it doesn’t apply to/doesn’t interest you.

  17. Julie

    Does the % of alcohol matter?
    I only have 70% isopropol rubbing alcohol, and the photo shows 91%. Thanks!

    • Lina (Hip's Modern Martha)

      I think at least 70% should be fine. Thanks

      • Jennifer

        Less alcohol takes a little longer to dry but as long as you leave it over night you should be fine

  18. Patty

    How cool!!! Thanks for the awesome tip!

  19. Joan Castillo

    Alcohol don’t want on my face !but if you broke all of it in small granules,you could just brush it on with a cosmetic brush (:

    (:

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  21. Kelly

    This is a cool tip. Not sure of how it would be on your skin after though but it’s cool. Pressed powder is generally good for 2 years whereas loose powder is for 3. If it changes consistency or smells then definitely time to change.

  22. carolanne

    thank you!!!!! getting ready to try this on a new compact not a week old…in fact i don’t think i’ve received the bill to pay for it….

  23. Becka

    I saw this trick on pinterest and tried it. It worked, but within days the eyeshadow was broken again. Anyone else have this happen? Just wondering if I did something wrong.

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